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When room was available, the colonists liked to have a chapel because they were devout Catholics. The altar was decorated with handmade crosses, statues of the saints, and candles. Sometimes, the statue of La Conquistadora was brought from Santa Fe on hertours of New Mexico. When priests visited the ranch to perform their services, a fiesta usually followed.
Capilla/Chapel
When room was available, the colonists liked to have a chapel because they were devout Catholics. The altar was decorated with handmade crosses, statues of the saints, and candles. Sometimes, the statue of La Conquistadora was brought from Santa Fe on hertours of New Mexico. When priests visited the ranch to perform their services, a fiesta usually followed.
Sala de Fundadores/Founders' Room
This was the rancho's first building and was probably the first family home. The ceiling was raised and the wood floor and metal roof added later. When priests visited the ranch to perform their services, a fiesta usually followed. La Sala de Fundadores
La Cocina con Fogón de Pastor/ Kitchen with Shepherd's Bed Fireplace
The kitchen is typical of those on the Spanish Colonial ranches of the 18th century. Its architecture includes vigas (beams) and rajas (rough cedar sticks between the beams). This method of ceiling a room is still used in New Mexico today. The pastor's
El Torreón/Defensive Tower
The torreón, or tower, was constructed by direct order of the King of Spain to protect the people of El Rancho de las Golondrinas. On the upper level, a sentinel watched over the land and was ready to blow a horn, beat a drum, shout, or to ring a bell
Dispensa/Storage Room
Outside of the dispensa, herbs, vegetables and fruits were hung to dry. Inside, other foods such as beans, wheat and shelled corn was stored in bins. The food that was stored after harvest in one year had to feed everyone until harvest the next year!
Talleres de Tejer/Weaving Workrooms
Spinners and weavers were very important to the rancho. They mad the most of the clothes the people wore, as well as all the blankets for beds and horses, and rugs for the floors. They mostly used wool because they were too far north to grow cotton. Th
